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Family, friends say goodbye to fallen soldier

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Community honors fallen Beaverton soldier ::

Craftsman pays tribute to fallen heroes ::

Family, friends say goodbye to fallen soldier ::

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Rebecca Trylch and Angela Brown

BEAVERTON (WJRT) -- (07/08/09)--A Mid-Michigan soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice serving our country in Iraq was given a patriotic final farewell Wednesday.

Staff Sgt. Timothy David of Beaverton was killed last week when a bomb exploded near his vehicle.

TRIBUTE: Man makes bird houses for families of fallen service members.

Wednesday was his funeral.

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Story: Soldier's body returned to Gladwin County

Friends, family and complete strangers came together to mourn the loss of a decorated war hero.

Standing below an American flag flying half staff, dozens of Patriot Guard Riders performed yet another mission.

"It's rural America at it's best," said Bill "Coyote" Schwalm. "And one thing: We don't come to a mission unless we're invited by the family."

Many attending the funeral didn't know David, but they do know his sacrifice.

"Everybody here is aware of what the family's feeling, and we grieve just as much as they do," said Jim Johnston.

Cheryl Walding and her niece came to say goodbye to a man who served his country and made his community proud.

"It's devastating," she said.

David's final farewell was held at Beaverton High School, the very school he graduated from 10 years ago. And as sad as this day is, Walding says it's a somber lesson for her niece Taylor Haner.

"I want her to learn," she said. "This is what we are about. This is where the country pulls together, where we pull together no matter where we're from."

Haner and Walding, like many in attendance, said they wished they could thank David in person.

"There's so many people out there protecting our country and everything, it's just like ... all I would say is, 'Thank you,'" Haner said.

A local man is giving up is time and money to honor fallen soldiers, including David.

He is making birdhouses for families of soldiers killed oversees.

"It's rewarding," said Don McGowan. "You just don't know how rewarding it is."

McGowan builds the birdhouses using his own money and often delivers them to family members, who in turn share their gratitude.

McGowan plans to make a birdhouse for the families of every Michigan solider killed in Iraq, but his plan has hit a snag. He cannot find the addresses for all the families.

The cost to make three of the birdhouses is around $32. So far McGowan has made nearly 136, but the money isn't a factor.

"It is worth it," McGowan said.